The Tarsier Arrastre and Stevedoring Services Incorporation (TASSI) has been operating as the sole cargo handler at the Port of Tapal since September 2005. Wharf and Back-up area were undertaken in 2005 through the TRANSVIZ/DOTC development project with an estimated project cost of 100M pesos. Since the Port of Tapal is a sub-port of Terminal Management Office of Ubay, it is included in its 10 yea
r development plans envisioned and drafted by the Port Management Office of Tagbilaran. Said development plan includes the construction of Transit Shed with an area of more or less 1000 sq, meters with an estimated cost of 15M pesos and construction of passenger terminal building with an area of 400 square meters with an estimated cost of 8M pesos both to be implemented in 2009 and 2012 respectively. When the port of Tapal became operational, it serves as a potential alternative port of Ubay Port since the latter can not accommodate bigger cargo vessels due to its low sea depth. Likewise, its geographic location is one of the potentials Tapal port has drawing vessel operators to call at the port. During bad weather, the port serves as the safest place for anchorage since it is hidden from the open sea. Moreover, the port of Tapal was unmanned from the time it became operational due to insufficient workforce of the Authority. Most of the time a vessel calling at the port has to clear its vessel at the port of Ubay which is 7 kilometers away from the port of Tapal. To effectively and efficiently serve its port users and clientele and to address the problem of unmanned port, cargo handling services at the port of Tapal was opened for bidding. Through the said bidding, a one-year contract was awarded to Tarsier Arrastre and Stevedoring Incorporation (TASSI) on September 2005. Renewal of its contract on the succeeding year was made at the Port District Office of the Visayas,Cebu until to date.